Detroit suburb wins appeal over Christmas display - KAIT-Jonesboro, AR-News, weather, sports

Detroit suburb wins appeal over Christmas display

Posted: Updated:

WARREN, Mich. (AP) - A federal appeals court has ruled against a group that wanted to add an anti-religion message to a Christmas display at the city hall in Warren, Mich.

The court says Warren mayor Jim Fouts did nothing illegal when he refused to post a sign that said, "There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell."

The Freedom from Religion Foundation of Madison, Wis., sued Warren in 2011. The Detroit suburb displays secular and religious symbols between Thanksgiving and Christmas, including a Nativity scene, a Santa Claus house and a sleigh.

The appeals court said Monday that Warren's display is not an illegal endorsement of religion. The court says the city is not required to "add all comers to the mix."

 (Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)